Latter-Day President

It would be easy to come up with a long list of secular reasons why Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman want to run for president. Romney has personal and familial ambition to burn. He decided against seeking a second term as governor of Massachusetts so he could contest his party’s presidential nomination in ’08. That set him up as heir apparent for next year, given the GOP electorate’s penchant for rewarding runners-up. Never mind beating Obama—just winning the nomination would be an achievement that his late father, automotive CEO and Michigan governor George Romney, never managed.

For his 51 years on this earth, Jon Huntsman Jr., scion of an industrialist father, has bounced around the diplomatic circuit with ambassadorial appointments to Singapore and China. He was twice elected governor of Utah, the second time by a landslide. That’s the sort of resume from which presidential runs are fashioned—and not just the doomed ones. George H.W. Bush had been chief of the U.S. liaison to the People’s Republic in the days before mainland China had an ambassador.

Yet there’s a religious dimension to these presidential aspirants as well. Romney and Huntsman are Mormons. Their creed is the prism through which just about everybody—voters and pundits alike—views these candidates. Can Romney overcome evangelical objections to his latter-day faith? What about liberal sneering over Mormon social conservatism? Will a second LDS adherent in the race make it harder for Romney to hoover up Mormon money and volunteers? Is Huntsman a “Jack Mormon”—a Mormon In Name Only—as some have alleged? Or is he simply unaccustomed to talking about his faith?

Above all, should Mormonism play some role in the press coverage?

Of course it should, if for no other reason than that Mormonism and Mormons are fascinating. Mormonism is America’s most ambitious religion. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints makes serious demands of its members. It sends hordes of young, squeaky-clean, short-term missionaries to Florida, France—where Romney served while his dad lost the GOP nod to Richard Nixon in 1968—and the furthest reaches. It baptizes not just the living but the dead, a practice that creates conflict with people of other faiths who don’t like Mormons laying claim to their forebears.

Mormonism is now a global religion, but its beating heart is in the United States. It was born here, and Mormons have remained stubbornly attached to the place. They follow the example of their religion’s founder, Joseph Smith. His alternative archaeology located the Garden of Eden in Missouri, of all places. Paradise, however, has proved a long time coming: Smith’s religion produced political frictions from day one.

In 1844, Smith himself launched a quixotic campaign for the White House, telling his followers to put proselytizing on hold and start politicking. He ran on a platform of prison reform and federal crackdowns on lawless mobs. But we’ll never know how popular Smith might have been because—and there is no way to damp down the historical irony here—he was murdered by a mob in an Illinois jail before the election.

It’s easy to see why Mormons would want one of their own in the White House. In the 19th century, they were driven out of several states before they established a beachhead in a new western territory. They reinterpreted certain of their beliefs to bring themselves into line with American norms, at the cost of schism—any polygamous “Mormons” you hear of today are shunned by the church. Winning the presidency would finally confer a sense of national acceptance on the Church Formerly Known as a Cult.

Yet that didn’t work out so well for Catholics—or other religious minorities, for that matter. Forget the mythologizing of Camelot: the Kennedy clan played the religion card for cynical purposes only. They brought some of the worst aspects of Irish-American power politics to the national stage, and they became a de facto liberal Catholic aristocracy that the bishops were reluctant to challenge. Evangelicals could tout Jimmy Carter as our first “born again” president—but the less said of that, the better. And in Barack Obama, members of the many African-American churches could claim not only a parishioner but an eloquent and educated convert. Then the Rev. Jeremiah Wright cleared his throat.

Jeremy Lott is editor of RealClearReligion.org and author of William F. Buckley.

21 Responses to Latter-Day President

Both of them claim great reverence for Christ, but both believe in a prophet who spoke a few later words. Both of them respect ‘the Book’ but both of them respect their own books more. Both of them endorse (or did in the past endorse) plural wives.

I have had dealings with Mormons and found them to be trustworthy and fair and very likeable. That said, some of their beliefs are just plain screwy. Here’s a quote from Mormon prophet Lorenzo Snow on the Mormon Plan of Salvation:

As man is, God once was; as God is, man may become.

They believe that their destiny is to become a god on another planet. ( see “The Pearl of Great Price:” Abraham 3:9)

The problem with both candidates (and Glenn Beck for that matter) is that they tell regular Christians that they are Christians too, but fail to tell them that their religion does not embrace that Jesus Christ is the only begotton Son of God and is without a creator (as He is God). They instead believe Jesus is a created being and that satan is His brother. Furthermore, they claim that we are all potential gods (if we are good little Mormons) with our own universes to rule one day. There is also their belief that salvation is by faith, being a good Mormon, and universal resurrection rather than by just faith alone.

It is America; they can believe what they want to believe as is their right. However, the fact that they do not highlight the differences in their beliefs and instead try to pass themselves off as something they really aren’t shows a certain level of deceitfulness, which I guess is typical of politicians.

Huntsman might be a MINO (Mormon in Name Only) but Romney is a RINO. If Romney decides to serve Obama’s second term, the Republicans in Congress will go along for party unity. The Republicans in Congress will behave much better with Obama serving his own second term…

A lifelong Mormon, and one fairly involved in the theological controversies of Mormonism, I’d like to take this opportunity to gently correct some of the misstatements about Mormon beliefs in the comments above.

Regarding Mormonisms relationship to Islam, “TheOldCrusader” is correct that Mormonism and Islam promote the ideas of a post-Jesus prophet, extra-biblical scripture, and non-monogamous marriage arrangements. But the similarities end there. Mormons locate themselves squarly in the Christian tradition (even if some other Christians refuse to accept us). Catholics believe in extra-biblical ideas and doctrines, and there is in fact a history of Christian polygamy.

Regarding the comments made by “Jonathan”, Mormons do in fact believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Only Begotten Son and that Jesus Christ is not a created being. You are confusing us for the Jehovah’s Witness. We do believe that Jesus is the brother of Satan, but that is a misleading statement (one which Mike Huckabee used to his advantage). For Mormons, all men and women are the brothers and sisters of Satan in the exact same way that Jesus is. While Jesus might be a sibling to Satan, It is equally true, from the Mormon perspective, that you and I are all siblings to Satan and in the exact same sense that Jesus is. With that in mind, the statement that “Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers” loses all of its punch.

Furthermore, to address Jonathan’s other comments, LDS (Mormon) ideas about becoming “gods” falls right in line with the great Christian tradition of theosis. I realize that it makes for sensationalistic shouting, but our beliefs about increasing in knowledge and power under the mentoring eyes of God are actually not far from orthodox Christian views.

Once again, we see more and more pieces trying to tell us that it matters what one believes on the personal level rather than what ways they will lead. Ask the right questions about leading and policy, not whether someone is spiritual or not, that is not important. We’ve had Christian presidents in the past, they all believe “weird” things, just the very notion of someone dying for someone else and relieving their “sins” and then coming to life three days later is odd, but yet if they come from the mainstream christian line we don’t think twice about what they believe. Move on, get real, and put all this religion aside, because there are greater things to be talking about. Like why is it that Republicans are far more committed to the ideological goals than actual problem solving.

Typical, you write an article loosely based on mormon beliefs and all of the “supposed” Christians come out of the closet and show their true bigot colors by bashing the mormons with half truths, innuendoes and out right lies in some cases. It is nice to see what kind of “Christians” you really are, you can talk the talk but you can’t walk the walk!

One why I see it it,,, If it is so screwy,,, so silly,,, why has “God” blessed them so??? No other church can compare,, They own everything,,, Swift Tranport. largest over the road trucking co. in the U.S. Largest cattle ranch in U.S. They make about 8 Billion a year, ect..ect.. You would think God would be mad about thier church, but i guess not…(?) Looking @ the numbers,,I think he may like them,,, just saying…

All I have to say is, “God, save us from the Christians”… I know a few Mormons and they are, as mentioned previously, good mannered people who love to serve others — they mow my lawn often and I appreciate that. But seriously, I know they are Christians, but if I were them, I wouldn’t loop themselves in that sinking boat along with evangelicals… “God, save us from the evangelical Christians”.

For the record, Mormons absoutely believe that “Jesus Christ is the only begotton Son of God.” They believe that He was with His Father in the beginning and, under His Father’s direction, created our entire universe. There was never a time when He was not God. (He’s just not the same individual as His own Father.)

They also believe that Christ’s directive to “Be perfect, even as [our] Father in Heaven is perfect” is a commandment, not merely a suggestion. The potential of exaltation is not limited to “good little Mormons.” Romans 8:16-17, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 2:26-27 and Revelation 3:21 promise that, as children of God, Christ’s faithful followers will be God’s heirs, joint-heirs with Christ, even glorified with Him. We might partake of the nature of divinity and be allowed to sit with our Savior on His throne, to rule over the nations. This is sound Biblical doctrine.

[quote]There is also their belief that salvation is by faith, being a good Mormon, and universal resurrection rather than by just faith alone.[/quote]You’re quite right. We’re definitely not Evangelicals.

For the record, Mormons absoutely believe that “Jesus Christ is the only begotton Son of God.” They believe that He was with His Father in the beginning and, under His Father’s direction, created our entire universe. There was never a time when He was not God. (He’s just not the same individual as His own Father.)

They also believe that Christ’s directive to “Be perfect, even as [our] Father in Heaven is perfect” is a commandment, not merely a suggestion. The potential of exaltation is not limited to “good little Mormons.” Romans 8:16-17, 2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 2:26-27 and Revelation 3:21 promise that, as children of God, Christ’s faithful followers will be God’s heirs, joint-heirs with Christ, even glorified with Him. We might partake of the nature of divinity and be allowed to sit with our Savior on His throne, to rule over the nations. This is sound Biblical doctrine.

With respect to believing that “salvation is by faith, being a good Mormon, and universal resurrection rather than by just faith alone, you are quite right. They are definitely not Evangelicals.

Comments all over the place. Mormons are people who love their family, do their jobs, go to school, pay their taxes and try to live the best lives they can. In that they are like most Americans of all religious and no religious persuasions. Some of their beliefs may seem foreign, but then that is true of most or all religions. It is said “by their fruits you may know them” – well, in that case, there is nothing to fear. Expressions of bigotry always say more about the individual expressing them than anyone else.

Another Mormon here. I also find it interesting that other Christians try to find the most glaring differences between Mormon theology and their beliefs to promote. In reality you could do the same about any sect of Christianity. From my Mormon perspective the real difference is between the nature of God. Who is he and what is he like? Mormons believe that in 300+AD a serious error was made in the Council of N… where Christian leadership voted by a narrow margin to accept the Trinity as fact about the nature of God. Mormons believe that because of this significant error truths about God became less and less accurate over the next 1500 years requiring a restoration through the vision received by Joseph Smith. Assuming that God did appear to JS, it makes sense that gospel clairity would not resemble all the popular christian principles of the day. Most significantly, God has a tangible body and Christ does too. Then more information was given in preparation fro the second coming… We are the literal spirit children of God and existed before this world. This world is a second test where we show loyalty to God and learn by living his Gospel despite adversity from Satan and his angels (our spiritual siblings) who failed the first test of siding with Christ in coming to this earth to learn to become like God our Spiritual Father. This learning will continue for a long long time after death. This belief in eternal progression, does mean that we can eventually become like our Father. That is Mormonism, and I believe the fullness of Christs Gospel given for our day and the challenges we face.

In my experience, many Mormons admire both Mormon candidates, support them, and hope to see one of them in the White House. But many Mormons support other candidates for a variety of reasons” theological, political or otherwise.

However, I believe that the answer to the question Mr. Lott alludes to in his final two paragraphs is an emphatic YES! No matter what the outcome, these candidacies are good for Mormonism and for America. The increased scope and depth of the conversation about Mormonism gives Mormons a much broader forum for explaining their beliefs and refuting longstanding misunderstandings and mischaracterizations about their faith. At the same time, it has given Mormons and other Americans of all faiths the opportunity to better understand each other on many issues that affect our communities and the nation.

Just as importantly, these Mormon candidacies have stoked the ongoing national dialogue about the meaning of the religious freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution and recognized internationally as human rights. They have, once again, caused people to confront the questions raised by these rights regarding what they mean for individuals, political parties and governments.

In a practical none theological sense, Mormonism is the all American religion.

They are distrustful of government, yet they help each other out. They are strong advocates of private behavior and private enterprise. They are family orientated – and their children are many and respectful.

Jeremy Lott wrote:
>It baptizes not just the living but the dead, a practice that creates conflict with people of other faiths who don’t like Mormons laying claim to their forebears.

Jeremy, I expected a more nuanced description of this practice from you. Perhaps there just wasn’t space. But it is a serious misrepresentation to say that we “baptize the dead.”

Moral agency, or freedom of choice, is a fundamental principle of Mormonism, and it applies equally to the living and the dead. God does not force any moral choice on anyone, and neither do Mormons. What we do “for” (not “to”) the dead is make an offer of ordinances of salvation by proxy, which they are completely free to accept or reject. The ordinance has no validity until that choice is made.

We don’t know that choice, and we don’t claim those for whom we perform proxy ordinance, in any way, as Mormons. It is those who oppose LDS proxy baptism who are seeking to control the dead by denying them opportunity for choice.

Only Mormonism both claims to have the keys to salvation and makes a serious effort to provide equal opportunity to salvation to every person who ever lived. Just eight years before the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized, Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to Benjamin Waterhouse, offered a few choice words about those who teach that God arbitrarily predestines the vast majority of his children to damnation: http://lachlan.bluehaze.com.au/lit/jeff17.htm